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2022-03-31-accounts

New Life Church Bristol Report and Accounts

year ended Marchyear ended 202 21

NEW LIFE CHURCH BRISTOL

LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2022

ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE 24 Congleton Road St George Bristol BS5 7AP GOVERNING DOCUMENT Declaration of Trust dated 29th January 2013 CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 1150750 TRUSTEES RESPONSIBLE FOR Mrs S Hall (Chair) MANAGING THE CHARITY Mr D Summerhill Mrs M Moorcraft Mr R Penska Mr R Brown BANKERS Barclays Bank INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Jaimee Young Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB INDEX Page 1 Legal & Administrative Details Pages 2-7 Trustees' Report Page 8 Independent Examiner's Report Page 9 Receipts and Payments Account Page 10 Statement of Assets & Liabilities Pages 11-12 Notes to the Accounts

Page 1

NEW LIFE CHURCH BRISTOL

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2022

Introduction

New Life Church Bristol (NLCB) was registered as a charity on 8 February 2013 and this annual report covers the period for the year ended 31 March 2022. At the beginning of the year the COVID-19 pandemic continued to affect the way the activities within the charity were conducted. At times it made planning for activities and services very uncertain especially with the new Omicron variant. By June we were back meeting again in person at Frenchay Village Hall following all national guidelines and adjusting our services as these regulations changed. During July we received the sad news from Zambia that Pastor Evans Luwi had passed away. We continue to support the work through Maureen, Evan’s wife, who is now leading the church as well as the school. Richard and Kim Brown in their roles of Pastor and Treasurer respectively continue to be employed by the Church enabling the links with other churches and the community to be strengthened as well as providing time for pastoral work within the church. This report sets out how the church has continued to adapt to these challenging times and the many achievements against our stated objects.

Objects and activities

The stated objects of New Life Church Bristol are:

 The advancement of the Christian faith through engaging in worship, bible-based teaching, and the furtherance of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ in accordance with the Statement of Beliefs set out in the Trust Deed. This includes extending our work to other areas of the world.

Our principal activities to achieve these objects for the public benefit are:

Further information on these activities and how they have delivered public benefit is described under the section Achievements and Performance below.

Achievements and Performance

The Trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on Public Benefit and the guidance for charities for the advancement of religion when making their decisions and planning activities. The activities and achievements are set out below.

Page 2

Church services

At the beginning of the year, due to the pandemic, all Sunday morning services continued to be conducted through Zoom software. In May we trialled one hybrid meeting with the worship team and preached word taking place at the village hall with everyone else connecting via Zoom. This meeting involved a lot of extra work to set up so we did not continue with this approach. By June we were able to meet back in the village hall but there were many restrictions including having to socially distance, wear masks and not being able to sing. The services continue to involve spirit-led worship, bible-based teaching, and prayer ministry as well as the opportunity to meet and develop supportive relationships. Sunday services functions well through the significant volunteering contribution made by members serving in the setting up and packing away of equipment, the worship team, PA function, stewarding and coffee rota.

Opportunities are always available for the congregation to share what God has been revealing to them, this may include testimonies as well as the preached word. Our services varied in style with an ‘Open Mic’ service having no planned preached word but encouraged the wider congregation to share what God was speaking to them about. Another format was entitled ‘Unplugged’ where the set up was deliberately stripped back, with a smaller worship team, minimal PA and no backdrops with the service starting with brunch around tables. Once a month this simpler style meant we became less dependent on the infrastructure and also reduced the workload for the teams setting up. This year a special advent series took place with four services themed around ‘Christmas at the Movies’ with a message based on a favourite Christmas movie with the congregation enjoying snacks such as popcorn, hot dogs and ice cream.

The number of visiting speakers was less than in previous years due to the pandemic. However, we were able to invite Dave Mitchell and Rob Scott-Cook from Woodlands Church that we are associated with. Teaching from Sunday mornings was available to the public through podcasts on the church website.

Children’s and Youth Work

During the school term the Youth Group continued to meet on a Tuesday evening with face-to-face meetings taking place as soon as regulations allowed. The evenings enabled the group to connect in with one another providing opportunities to chat, play games, pray, listen and contribute to bible teaching, discuss current issues and support one another through the challenges of the pandemic. Gifts were given out at Christmas. With no regular children attending our meetings, any visitors’ children were provided with toys and activities at the back of the hall where the church was meeting. Separate meeting facilities were available at the hall if required.

Both the Children and the Youth group are staffed by volunteers who have completed DBS checks and training as required under our safeguarding policy. A copy of the safeguarding policy has been passed to the appropriate Social Care Department and the policy is reviewed annually by the appointed Safeguarding Officers and the Trustees.

Page 3

Teaching and discipleship

Part of advancing the Christian faith is to deepen the church’s understanding of the bible and what it teaches. Our Sunday morning services included a number of teaching series covering areas such as the gospels, Acts and Nehemiah. As well as teaching on a Sunday, lively discussions took place midweek answering questions and clarifying principles as they were raised. These continued partly on Zoom and also face-to-face as the year progressed. The mid-week groups changed during the year with one of the large groups being split into two and the young adults group being combined within these groups.

In August the New Wine conference took place; the church usually attends in person but the event was transferred to an online platform for the second year running. The event provided a wealth of teaching and encouragement as members continued to face the challenges of the pandemic. A number of the church joined together at a campsite to listen to the conference online. As well as providing support and direction throughout the year, New Wine also organised a leaders’ conference in March in Harrogate which was attended by the leadership team and included worship, bible teaching and messages on current issues. It also focussed on encouraging leaders after a challenging two years of leading the church through the pandemic.

Overseas linked churches

The Church has continued its strong links with the Path of Life Ministries in Zambia which was led by Pastor Evans Luwi. Pastor Evans was responsible for leading a number of churches within Path of Life Ministries in Zambia based around Solwezi and surrounding areas. New Life Church Bristol (NLCB) provided financial support to Pastor Evans to enable him to extend God’s kingdom in this part of the world, deepening the faith of the people in the churches and reaching out to those in need. After much prayer and consideration, the Trustees and leadership team agreed to fund the purchase of a car to support Pastor Evans and his wife Maureen with their ministry. Their location next to a river, which floods during the rainy season, makes getting to and from the church and school very difficult and the provision of funding for a car was a great blessing to them and their work. Financial support was also provided for Pastor Joseph, who leads a church in Lusaka and Pastor Edwards who leads a church in Mwinilunga.

It was with great sadness that a few weeks later after providing funds for the car we received the news that Pastor Evans had passed away after a short period of illness. Evans will be dearly missed by everyone who knew him, especially his family and those who worked closely with him in ministry. We maintained regular contact with Maureen and supported her financially and in prayer as she worked through the way forward for her family and church. Recent discussions with Maureen indicate that both the church and the school are going well and after a gap of two years due to the pandemic the leadership of NLC are hoping to visit in 2022.

The Beacon of Power Academy School which the church established in Solwezi, provides an opportunity for those children to attend primary school who normally would not do so due to financial and family reasons. Following the change in Government in Zambia, their new education policy removed the fee-paying requirement for attending schools allowing all children to attend without charge. This had a negative impact on the secondary school which was funded through families paying fees and this element of the provision closed. Discussions continue about the future of the secondary school and how this may operate under the new government policy.

The primary school is financially supported by the Church and by sponsorship from individuals. Donations by individuals have been classed as restricted income and are titled School4kids.

Page 4

Pastoral care

The Church meets during the week to provide a time for informal discussions on Christian teaching, prayer, support to those in need, reaching out to the community as well as social activities and events. Activities were initially limited to what could be achieved through the use of Zoom with members continuing to meet in small groups during the day and evenings with one mid-week meeting a month involving the whole church. As COVID restrictions eased, meetings took place outside in gardens and other venues until it was possible to meet inside homes again.

Support to the Frenchay Community and wider Bristol area

Part of outworking our objects is to reach out to those in need within the Community and be a witness for our Christian faith. Although many of the ways we would normally outwork these were restricted due to the pandemic, at the end of May the church, in conjunction with the Noise (a Bristol based event showing God’s love to communities), spent the weekend carrying out work in the community including outdoor maintenance work at Frenchay Primary School and the Village Hall where we would normally meet. During the year Church members have also assisted with filling gift bags for prisoners which were given as presents at Christmas organised by a Christian charity called Sixty-One (Charity No. 1159302).

The Church has also supported the needs of the homeless by providing finance and practical help to the Bristol Churches Winter Night Shelter project. This involved working with the City Council to provide shelter for the homeless between the months of November 2021 and March 2022 in a COVID safe environment using hotel accommodation. NLCB provided lunch-time support and main meals as well as donations of clothes and toiletries. The impact of the project on both the homeless and the volunteers involved was significant as the volunteers were able to draw alongside people and show unconditional love and compassion to some of the most vulnerable people in the city. Further support for the poor has also been provided through gifts to foodbanks and to specific individuals.

Links were maintained with other local churches and wider church networks both in Bristol and nationally which kept the church aware of city wide and national needs which we could contribute to. Through these links the church was able to support needs within the city and provide grants as needs were identified. Our support to the work in Zambia has continued with the provision of funds to meet needs both in the churches and school.

Outreach activities and Mission events

Although opportunities as a church to outreach were limited at the beginning of the year, by September, the Churches Together team including members of NLCB provided ‘Open the Book’ sessions in Frenchay Primary school once more. Each child was presented a special booklet telling the Christmas story. Other outreach activities included encouraging individuals to reach out to their neighbours and friends showing them the love of God as they suffered difficult and challenging times. Cakes were also baked for hospital staff as a small gift of thanks for the incredible work they were doing.

The Churches Together team also organised for 7,200 Christmas cards to be delivered to the area we serve using the Royal Mail’s delivery service. These cards were specially designed to spread hope and the positive message of Christmas to the local community.

Page 5

Provision of Grants

The vision of the church is to support those who are in need and further the gospel of Jesus Christ. Due to the pandemic and also NLCB leaders not travelling to Zambia in 2021 the operating costs of the church were much lower. Tithes and offerings continued to be received by the Church enabling it to provide financial assistance to other organisations. These included Christian ministries such as the Sixty-One, In-hope Bristol and the Ukrainian crisis through Life Church Ministries. Individuals also gave into the Ukrainian fund and this has been identified as restricted income.

The objects and purposes of the Trust are the framework within which the above activities operate and they are measured through an ongoing process of monitoring and evaluation both by the Trustees and the Leadership team. Leadership meetings which include the Chair of Trustees usually take place on a monthly basis with the Leadership and Trustees also meeting together occasionally.

Financial Review & Reserves

At the beginning of the year the charity had unrestricted balances of £61,361. Financial giving by church members continued consistently throughout the pandemic, not only maintaining the financial viability of the Trust, but due to low running costs the Trust was able to give out to meet needs as identified by the church and agreed by Trustees. Total income from tithes and offerings during the year was £70,630 with total expenditure of £68,297. In addition to this income there was a restricted fund totalling £13,820 including balances from which £11,192 expenditure was incurred for the School4kids project, Pastor Joseph in Zambia and the Ukrainian crisis.

The Trust continues to pay a salary to Pastor Richard Brown and his wife Kim for the work they do in the church to outwork the Trust objects. Payments adhere to regulations for new living wage levels and tax. During the year funds continued to be invested in the work in Zambia to support the Spiritual Leadership, churches and the running of the school. The Trust was also able to respond with gifts to organisations, charities and individuals as agreed by the Leadership and Trustees in accordance with Trust objects. Gift aid has been received and has contributed to the balances held.

No fees are charged for services provided by the Church and our operating costs were lower than income. Balances held at the end of the year total £66,322 and these will cover more than 12 month’s on-going commitments; £25,000 has been estimated as the balance that needs to be held. A two-year budget has been set and future budget plans will include salary costs for ministry, training and administration, support for furthering the Christian gospel, investment in Africa, support to the local community and to individuals and organisations as need is identified. The budget and future commitments will be regularly reviewed by Trustees to ensure balances do not increase significantly and funds are used appropriately in accordance with the needs identified by the Spiritual Leadership team.

Page 6

Structure, governance and management

The Church is governed under the Declaration of Trust which established New Life Church Bristol as a charity on 29[th] January 2013. The minimum number of Trustees is three; there is no maximum. The Trustees are required to meet four times a year in person or through electronic means agreed by them. New Trustees are appointed by the Spiritual Leadership and Trustees and take into account the benefits that a person could contribute through their qualifications and experience to the furtherance of the objects and management of the charity. In total there are 5 Trustees and during 2021/22 there were no changes in personnel. All Trustees have a copy and are familiar with the Declaration of Trust and the Charity Commission publication CC3 – the Essential Trustee – what you need to know .

The spiritual governance and leadership of the Charity rests with the Leadership Team and they are responsible for appointing their successors. The responsibility of the Trustees is for the management and administration in accordance with the objects of the Trust and the general law. The Trustees fulfil their legal duties taking into account the spiritual direction of the Charity set by the Leadership Team who themselves act in accordance with the Trust Deed and general law.

During 2019 we decided to formally associate with Woodlands Church (Charity No. 1125029), a large church within the city. This relationship has been strengthened through the year and NLCB are able to draw on their advice and resources as required.

The links with the Path of Life Ministries in Zambia is an important part of the Church’s mission. Although the leadership did not visit in 2021, regular contact was maintained with Pastor Evans and then his wife Maureen Luwi. The finances for the school are overseen by Peter Moorcraft, a member of New Life Church Bristol.

Statement of Trustees’ responsibilities

Charity Law requires us as Trustees to prepare financial statements for each accounting year which record the receipts and payments of the charity for the year. We are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable us to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011.

We also have a responsibility to safeguard the assets of the charity and to take reasonable steps to prevent fraud or any other irregularities. Richard Brown is a Trustee and receives a salary as the Pastor. All other payments to Trustees were for the reimbursement of appropriate expenses with no private benefit received. All conflicts of interest are disclosed and recorded.

Approval

This report was approved by the Trustees on 14 September 2022 and signed on their behalf by:

S Hall – Chair of Trustees

Page 7

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT

TO THE TRUSTEES OF

NEW LIFE CHURCH BRISTOL

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of New Life Church Bristol for the year ended 31st March 2022 on pages 9-12 following.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with the accounting records.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

J. YOUNG

Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB

Date: 15th September 2022

Page 8

NEW LIFE CHURCH BRISTOL

RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2022

Notes
Income receipts
Donations, legacies and grants
Gift aid receipts
Income from charitable activities
Other
Capital and similar receipts
Total receipts
Payments
2
3
Total payments
Transfers between funds
Net movement in funds
Cash funds as at last year end
Cash funds at this year end
A
Sale of fixed assets
Loan repayments
Net of receipts / (payments) before
transfers
Grants paid in relation to charitable
activities undertaken by others
Payments
in
relation
to
charitable
activities undertaken directly
Purchase of fixed assets
Sale of investments
Purchase of investments
Loans made		 General
Designated
Funds
Funds
£
£
57,736
-
12,891
-
-
-
3
-
70,630
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
70,630
-
23,975
-
44,322
-
68,297
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
68,297
-
2,333
-
-
-
2,333
-
61,361
63,694
-
Unrestricted Funds		 Restricted
Funds
£
10,206
986
-
-
11,192
-
-
-
-
11,192
140
11,052
11,192
-
-
-
-
11,192
-
-
-
2,628
2,628		 2022
£
67,942
13,877
-
3
81,822
-
-
-
-
81,822
24,115
55,374
79,489
-
-
-
-
79,489
2,333
-
2,333
63,989
66,322		 2021
£
67,411
15,368
-
16
82,795
-
-
-
-
82,795
18,929
42,727
61,656
-
-
-
-
61,656
21,139
0
21,139
42,850
63,989
General
Funds
£
57,736
12,891
-
3
70,630
-
-
-
-
70,630
23,975
44,322
68,297
-
-
-
-
68,297
2,333
-
2,333
61,361
63,694

The notes on pages 11-12 form part of these accounts.

Page 9

NEW LIFE CHURCH BRISTOL

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2022

General
Designated
funds
funds
£
£
A Cash funds
Cash at bank with immediate access
63,694
-
63,694
-
B Other monetary assets
Gift aid due to charity
15,118
-
15,118
-
C
Liabilities
Fee for Independent Examination
744
-
744
-
D Assets retained for charity's own use
Music and PA equipment
Computers and IT
Other general equipment
Unrestricted Funds
The asset values refer to the original purchase price.		 Restricted
funds
£
2,628
2,628
1,307
1,307
-
-		 2022
£
66,322
66,322
16,425
16,425
744
744
Current
value
£
1,917
6,133
2,942
10,991		 2021
£
63,989
63,989
13,877
13,877
726
726
2021
value
£
1,758
8,909
2,806
13,473

The accounts were approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf

by S. HALL date 14.09.22

The notes on pages 11-12 form part of these accounts.

Page 10

NEW LIFE CHURCH BRISTOL

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2022

1 Accounting policies

The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis and comprise a statement that shows the charity's receipts and payments, a statement that summarises the charity's assets and liabilities and related notes. The accountancy profession have determined that only accounts prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards present a 'true and fair' view and, as these receipts and payments accounts have not (and cannot) be prepared in accordance with accounting standards, these accounts do not present (and are not intended to present) a 'true and fair' view of the charity's financial activities and state of affairs.

General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. Restricted funds are donations which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors; they include donations received from appeals for specific activities or projects.

General
Designated
funds
funds
£
£
2
Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly
Charity Admin
3,002
-
Rent
2,256
-
Leaders expenses & Ministry
3,636
-
Equipment
632
-
Salary
10,846
-
Gifts
393
-
General admin plus printing
198
-
Insurance
557
-
Stewardship Examination
726
-
Church Hospitality / housekeeping
727
-
Children/Youth/Students
476
-
Worship
5
-
Community Outreach
477
-
Travel and expenses
43
-
23,975
-
3
Grants paid in relation to charitable activities undertaken by others
Grants for:
Ministry work in Africa
36,482
Relief of poverty
7,840
School 4 kids
-
44,322
-
Unrestricted Funds		 Restricted
Funds
£
140
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
140
-
3,355
7,697
11,052		 Total
2022
£
3,142
2,256
3,636
632
10,846
393
198
557
726
727
476
5
477
43
24,115
36,482
11,195
7,697
55,374		 Total
2021
£
3,206
467
801
2,265
9,667
394
169
534
720
-
121
-
586
-
18,929
20,025
13,807
8,895
42,727

Page 11

NEW LIFE CHURCH BRISTOL

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2022

The grants to institutions amounting to more than £1,000 in the year were: Sixty:one - Prisoner gift bags 1,000 in-Hope (Bristol) 1,050 Ukraine Crisis via Life Church Ministries 5,000

4 Transactions with related parties

Richard Brown, a trustee, was paid £5632.32 which includes mobile phone expenses (2021: £5076.93) for his work as a Pastor and not as a trustee.

Kim Brown was paid £5214 (£2021: £4590) for her work as treasurer as permitted by the governing document.

5 Movement of funds

General funds
Designated funds
Restricted funds
School4kids
Ukraine Crisis via Life Church Ministries
TOTAL FUNDS		 Balance at
31 March 2021
£
61,361
61,361
2,628
0
2,628
63,989		 Receipts
£
70,630
70,630
7,837
3,355
11,192
81,822		 Payments
£
-68,297
-68,297
-7,837
-3,355
-11,192
-79,489		 Transfers
£
0
0
0
0
0
0		 Balance at
31 March 2022
£
63,694
63,694
2,628
0
2,628
66,322

The School4kids fund supports the setting up and running of a school in Solwezi, Zambia for those children who are unable to attend school due to financial and family reasons.

Occasional gifts are made to Pastor Joseph in Lusaka for personal use in his ministry.

Donations were received towards the Ukraine crisis and channelled through Life Church ministries who had a team and links to churches in Poland

Page 12